ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Hawks didnt talk about ending their nine-game losing streak against Miami. The Hawks only wanted to make up for the last loss in the streak -- an overtime defeat in Miami last month. Paul Millsap scored 26 points and the Hawks overcame LeBron James 30 to beat the Heat 121-114 on Monday night, leaving Miami to bemoan its defensive woes. "To us, this was a get-back game," said Atlantas Lou Williams, who had 12 points. "We felt we should have won the last one in Miami that we lost in overtime." James blamed poor defence for Miamis fourth loss in its last six games. "We scored enough points to win, so obviously it was defence," James said. "Especially in the first half." The Hawks led 71-70 at halftime. DeMarre Carroll finished with 19 points and Pero Antic had 17 for the Hawks, who beat Miami for the first time since Jan 2, 2012. It was Atlantas first home win over the Heat since Nov. 18, 2009. The Hawks have been rebuilt under second-year general manager Danny Ferry and first-year coach Mike Budenholzer. Most Atlanta players said they had no idea the Hawks had gone so long without beating the Heat. "I never even knew that," Millsap said, adding the Hawks were more motivated by Miamis back-to-back NBA championships. "Anytime you play Miami or any great team, you want to step up and play your best," Millsap said. "I think thats what we did today." Chris Bosh had 21 points for Miami, which was without Dwyane Wade for the second straight game. The Hawks set a season high for points in a half and points allowed by a Miami opponent in a half. The Heat trailed despite matching their season high for points in a half. It was only the second time in Miamis franchise history both teams had at least 70 points in a half. "I cant just pinpoint what it is," James said of the defensive woes. "Its a little bit of everything. At some point weve got to figure it out. Its just not good basketball right now." Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said the defensive problems were "all across the board, A through Z." "There just wasnt a lot of pride on that side of the court tonight," Spoelstra said. "We tried to win it on a shootout and then when our offence came up dry on the road toward the end, a couple missed shots and turnovers, we werent able to secure a win." The Hawks led 57-45 late in the first half and kept a 97-92 advantage entering the final period. Even so, Miami appeared bound for its eighth comeback from double-digit deficits of the season. With a large portion of the Atlanta crowd chanting "Lets go, Heat!" James sank a 3-pointer with 7:06 remaining for a 104-all tie. James made another jumper on Miamis next possession to give the Heat the lead. Carrolls 3-pointer for Atlanta tied it at 107. Miami took its last lead when Mario Chalmers, who had 17 points, made one of two free throws. The Hawks regrouped to lead 112-108 following two free throws by Millsap. The Hawks led 116-111 when a missed layup by Atlantas Shelvin Mack set up James three-point play to cut the lead to two points. Kyle Korver, who had 12 points, answered with a 3-pointer. James had a turnover on a bad pass and a missed 3-pointer on Miamis next two possessions. Wade, who missed his second straight game, said before the game there is "still a little soreness" in his knees. Some players on each team wore purple shoes on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Kings hometown. Both teams and the officials wore "Dream Big" logos on their warm-up shirts. Kings daughter, Bernice King, delivered a brief message before the game. Korver hit a 3-pointer to open the second period, extending to 109 his NBA record of consecutive games with a 3. James was slow to return to his feet after he was hit in the back of his head by Korver, who was trying to block a shot with 3:18 remaining in the first half. Korver was called for a flagrant foul, but the call was overturned following a review. NOTES: The Heat and the Celtics each had 70 or more points in the second half on April 12, 1990, at Boston, the only other time Miami and its opponent each scored at least 70 points in a half. ... Spoelstra said G Toney Douglas, acquired in a three-team trade on Wednesday, was working out in Miami. ... Forward-centre Chris Andersen, who has missed the Heats past three games with a right knee contusion, returned with eight points. ... C Greg Oden did not play. ... Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, the former University of Georgia star, attended the game. . -- Chris Tillman paid no attention to the Baltimore bullpen as it started to stir in the ninth inning. . The Raptors general manager has his list of possible draft selections whittled down to a handful ahead of Thursday nights NBA draft in Brooklyn, New York. The Raptors, who have auditioned dozens of players over the past couple of weeks, have the 20th overall pick in the first round, as well as the 37th and 58th picks in the second.
http://www.cheapraysjerseysauthentic.co ... ows-jersey. Or, for that matter, the aged. . PAUL, Minn. . Pistorius denied the allegation that he said to the close friend of the girlfriend he killed: "How can you sleep at night?" The accusation by Kim Myers provided a bizarre twist during the trial of the world-famous double-amputee Olympian, who is facing 25 years to life in prison if convicted of premeditated murder for shooting dead Steenkamp, a 29-year-old model, at his home last year.Eoin Morgan says he cannot believe the progress England have made in limited-overs cricket after last years World Cup. England reached the semi-finals of the World T20, in which they will play New Zealand on Wednesday, with a 10-run win over Sri Lanka in Delhi.Morgans side have already exceeded their performances at the 50-over World Cup, where they failed to get out of the group. Win World T20 or be forgotten Trevor Bayliss says England must win title or be forgotten And the captain has been surprised at the rapid progress the team has made since their dismal displays at that tournament 12 months ago.Ive been asked the question a couple of times and I cant quite believe where we are in terms of our 20-over cricket and our one-day cricket, he said.The guys weve selected have done outstandingly well and have shown a great attitude playing against very good sides who knock you back. Coming into this tournament we talked about emulating the fashion in which New Zealand played in the World Cup and the aggressive nature in which they went about their game, particularly with the ball. Eoin Morgan Every question that has been asked of us we have given a counter answer or a more aggressive option.Morgan felt the one-day international series against New Zealand last June was vital to the teams transformation, primarily because it helped provide a blueprint for the new aggression in the teams bowling attack.The New Zealand series was very important. Coming into this tournament we talked about emulating the fashion in which they played in the World Cup and the aggressive nature in which they went about their game, particularly with the ball.Their swing bowlers were outstanding and that encourages a positive mind set throughout everything that you do - with the bat it can come more naturally. They did play a key part for us, absolutely.Morgan was not always part of a team that needed to overcome the odds or play catch-up in the shortest format.In 2010 he was a key member of the England side that, albeit briefly, became market leaders by winning the World T20 in the Caribbean.ddddddddddddHe is the sole survivor from that vintage though the man who lifted the trophy, Paul Collingwood, is part of the coaching staff, an omen that has not gone unnoticed in the camp.And, looking around a buoyant dressing room, it is not the only parallel Morgan recognises. Eoin Morgan insists that England arent looking past their World T20 semi-final against New Zealand I see a few actually, he said.The main one would be how relaxed everybody is around the group. How much they are enjoying the challenge of playing international cricket at the moment and their hunger to win.It is all right having fun and enjoying what you are doing but if you dont have that inner drive to want to improve and win games of cricket you are going to stand still for a long time. This side has shown strengths which are similar [to 2010].England (probable): A Hales, J Roy, J Root, E Morgan (capt), J Buttler (wkt), B Stokes, M Ali, C Jordan, D Willey, A Rashid, L Plunkett.New Zealand (possible): M Guptill, K Williamson (capt), C Munro, R Taylor, C Anderson, G Elliott, L Ronchi (wkt), T Southee, M Santner, M McClenaghan, I Sodhi.Watch England take on New Zealand in the semi-final of the ICC World Twenty20 from 1.30pm on Wednesday, on Sky Sports 2. Also See: Buttler on big-hitting Key & Hussains pitch report Morgan on England rise Cricket videos ' ' '
